Abstract: A furnace assembly for hot-stamping vehicle components includes a support structure, a movable visor, a heat element, and a set of blocks. The support structure defines a cavity and an opening sized to receive a blank. The movable visor is mounted to the support structure and defines a first zone partially open to the cavity via the opening. The heat element is disposed within the cavity. Each of the blocks of the set of blocks is disposed on one side of the heat element to define a second zone and aligned with the opening to receive a vehicle component blank upon the blocks. The set of blocks and visor are arranged with one another such that portions of the blank are heated at different temperatures in the first zone and the second zone.

Abstract: A hot-stamping furnace includes a housing defining a heating chamber partitioned into compartments configured to have different temperatures. The heating chamber includes an opening that is at least partially covered by a door movably mounted on the housing. The door is configured to extend over only a portion of the opening when in a closed position. A detachable panel extends from an edge of the door such that the panel extends over a portion of the opening that the door does not extend over.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for treating a press hardened part by induction heating localized areas of the part to have reduced hardness. The method and system monitor an ambient temperature, cycle time, outgoing part property requirements, and outgoing part hardness in local areas. A time value and temperature value are set by a computer system for a plurality of induction heaters. A local area of the part is induction heated to soften the part in localized areas. The hardness of the localized areas is tested after induction heating.

Abstract: A hot stamping die includes a body having a stamping surface, and cooling channels within the body. The cooling channels are positioned to transfer heat from region(s) of the surface to the channels. The hot stamping die also includes a heating element within the body, separate and apart from the channels. The heating element is positioned to heat region(s) of the body different from the region(s) of the surface at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the region(s) of the surface.

Abstract: A vehicle component strength zone forming method is provided. The method includes identifying a condition of a blank via sensors at a furnace inlet. The method further includes outputting, by a controller, furnace command signals based on a predetermined thermal treatment schedule for the identified condition of the blank to heat a first blank portion to form a fully martensitic microstructure and heat a second blank portion to form a microstructure having one or more of ferrite, pearlite, and austenite. The method may further include outputting the furnace command signals based on furnace temperature variations detected by furnace sensors in communication with the controller. The method may further include outputting the furnace command signals based on one or more of a detected blank chemical composition, a detected type of blank coating, a detected blank thickness, and a detected blank material type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locally softening high strength steel are disclosed. One method may include heat treating one or more local regions of a steel component having a hardness of at least 450 HV to soften the local region(s) to a hardness of at most 250 HV. The heat treating may include heating only the local region(s) to a target temperature above an AC1 temperature of the component and below an AC3 temperature of the component. In another method, the heat treating may include heating only the local region(s) to a first target temperature above an AC3 temperature of the component, cooling the local region(s) to below an AC1 temperature of the component, and isothermally holding the local region(s) at a second target temperature below the AC1 temperature. The locally softened region(s) may allow for improved joining and/or trimming of the component.

Abstract: A joined sheet stack and a method and system for forming the stack are disclosed. The stack may include a steel sheet and a second sheet. The steel sheet may include a bulk portion having a first tensile strength and one or more fastener regions having a second tensile strength that is lower than the first tensile strength and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may extend through each fastener region joining the steel sheet to the second sheet. The method may include heat treating one or more regions of a steel sheet to form one or more fastener regions having a tensile strength that is lower than a bulk tensile strength of the steel sheet and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may then be inserted into the one or more fastener regions to join the steel sheet to a second sheet.

Abstract: A hot stamping system includes a controller programmed to alter a coolant flow rate, without altering cycle time, in an active cooling system of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state while the die arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A furnace assembly for hot-stamping vehicle components includes a support structure, a movable visor, a heat element, and a set of blocks. The support structure defines a cavity and an opening sized to receive a blank. The movable visor is mounted to the support structure and defines a first zone partially open to the cavity via the opening. The heat element is disposed within the cavity. Each of the blocks of the set of blocks is disposed on one side of the heat element to define a second zone and aligned with the opening to receive a vehicle component blank upon the blocks. The set of blocks and visor are arranged with one another such that portions of the blank are heated at different temperatures in the first zone and the second zone.

Abstract: A hot-stamping furnace includes a housing defining a heating chamber partitioned into compartments configured to have different temperatures. The heating chamber includes an opening that is at least partially covered by a door movably mounted on the housing. The door is configured to extend over only a portion of the opening when in a closed position. A detachable panel extends from an edge of the door such that the panel extends over a portion of the opening that the door does not extend over.

Abstract: A controller alters a cycle time of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components and having an active cooling system, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for treating a press hardened part by induction heating localized areas of the part to have reduced hardness. The method and system monitor an ambient temperature, cycle time, outgoing part property requirements, and outgoing part hardness in local areas. A time value and temperature value are set by a computer system for a plurality of induction heaters. A local area of the part is induction heated to soften the part in localized areas. The hardness of the localized areas is tested after induction heating.

Abstract: A joined sheet stack and a method and system for forming the stack are disclosed. The stack may include a steel sheet and a second sheet. The steel sheet may include a bulk portion having a first tensile strength and one or more fastener regions having a second tensile strength that is lower than the first tensile strength and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may extend through each fastener region joining the steel sheet to the second sheet. The method may include heat treating one or more regions of a steel sheet to form one or more fastener regions having a tensile strength that is lower than a bulk tensile strength of the steel sheet and a microstructure that includes tempered martensite. A fastener may then be inserted into the one or more fastener regions to join the steel sheet to a second sheet.